Attack on Titan Episode 46: Ruler of the Walls

The gigantic Titan form of Rod Reiss drags itself towards Orvud District. Captain Carsten of the local Garrison Regiment panics, questioning Erwin Smith about why the citizens are not being evacuated. Hange Zoë explains that the Titan is an Abnormal, drawn to high concentrations of people. If Orvud were evacuated, the Titan would change course to follow them, eventually leading it to the even more densely populated Capital Mitras, which would be catastrophic. Hange also mentions that Eren had tried to control the Titan on their way to Orvud, but it had no effect.

Erwin uses this information to justify their stand, acknowledging they must protect civilians. He proposes a fake emergency evacuation drill so citizens are ready to leave if the Scout Regiment fails. Carsten reluctantly agrees.

At dawn, the Garrison conducts the "practice" evacuation, telling citizens it's a large-scale drill involving cannon fire against dummy Titans. Citizens grumble about the military's show of force after overthrowing the previous government.

On Wall Sina, Carsten orders the first round of artillery fire at the approaching Titan. It emerges unscathed. A second round is fired from the ground at the base of the Wall. Erwin and Levi Ackermann observe the cannons' ineffectiveness. Levi calls Erwin's strategy a gamble.

Hange arrives with barrels of gunpowder, ropes, netting, and two carts loaded with gunpowder. The carts have omni-directional mobility gear handles and triggers attached, with the triggers tied down to reel in automatically when grappling hooks are fired.

Erwin sends Levi, Jean Kirschtein, Sasha Braus, and Conny Springer to the other end of the Wall. He then approaches the rest of Squad Levi, who are helping Hange. He reminds Historia Reiss that if they survive, she is to become Queen, and remaining on the Walls would be problematic. Historia disagrees, asking if he truly believes people will bow to a figurehead.

Eren Jaeger watches Historia, marveling at her growth and realizing his own past weakness. He reflects on his perceived specialness and the deaths of other soldiers, and his lack of thought about becoming a Titan despite hating them. He wonders about his future and if plugging the hole in Wall Maria is enough. He feels humanity's reliance on him is a burden.

Eren looks down at children in the city, reminded of himself and his friends when the Colossal Titan first appeared. Armin Arlelt agrees, but points out that now there are soldiers on the Wall to face the Titan, and they are those soldiers. Eren watches Mikasa Ackermann stack gunpowder barrels and remembers trying to free his mother from rubble before a Titan arrived.

Mikasa tells Eren to keep moving. Eren, realizing his mental state, repeatedly punches himself. Mikasa and Armin express concern, but Eren dismisses it as needing to beat a "useless brat."

The Garrison prepares another round of artillery for the Titan, which is almost at the Wall. Though its head and upper body are riddled with holes, a change in wind blows hot air from its body over the defenders on Wall Sina, blinding them. They fire blindly downwards.

The Titan's hands reach the top of the Wall and it pulls itself up. Its face and belly are scraped away, and entrails spill onto the Wall, scattering soldiers. Panic erupts in the city as citizens see the Titan and flee.

Carsten orders a retreat, lamenting his city's doom. Levi tells him to stand back, stating the Scouts will handle it. Jean, Sasha, and Conny soak themselves in water to withstand the heat. On the other side of the Wall, Eren transforms into his Titan form. Armin, Mikasa, and other soldiers also douse themselves with water. Armin declares they are ready.

Armin and Sasha roll out the gunpowder-laden carts. Erwin fires a signal flare to begin the attack. Armin and Sasha fire grappling hooks, and the triggers reel the carts and gunpowder barrels into the Titan's hands. The heat causes them to explode, making the Titan lose its grip and slump forward, its head resting just above the Wall.

Erwin calls for Eren, who sprints forward in his Titan form, carrying a net sack filled with gunpowder barrels. He hurls the sack into the Titan's open mouth. The heat ignites the gunpowder, causing a chain reaction that explodes the entire top half of the Titan, including its nape.

On Erwin's command, the Scouts use their ODM gear to cut up the falling chunks of flesh that could be the nape. Historia is among them. She had previously told Erwin she understood her duty, and though he disapproved, he couldn't stop her.

Historia mentally apologizes for being selfish as she tracks a falling piece of the Titan. She cuts a chunk in half and hears a cry. She sees a vision of her father arguing with his own father about exterminating Titans, being reassured by his brother and later his daughter, and seeking comfort with his mistress.

The nape explodes, and onlookers below see Historia fall. She lands on a padded wagon. Citizens gather, asking if she delivered the finishing blow. Historia rises, questioning her actions, then declares herself the true ruler of the Walls.

At sunset, near the Underground Chapel, a grievously wounded Kenny Ackermann walks away from the rubble. He remembers Uri, Levi, Djel Sannes, and Traute Carven. He removes his Anti-Personnel ODM gear and slumps against a tree, wheezing. Levi finds him and informs him that all his comrades were crushed in the cave-in, making Kenny the sole survivor. Levi sends his accompanying soldier away, noting Kenny's fatal injuries. Kenny smiles and shows Levi a syringe, shocking him.